40 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Ho perso il passaporto.
I have lost my passport.
Say this immediately to your hotel reception, a police officer, or your country's consulate. This is one of the most serious travel emergencies — act quickly.
Mi hanno rubato la borsa!
My bag has been stolen!
Shout this immediately if you witness or just discover a theft. Then go to the nearest police station to file a report for insurance purposes.
Ho bisogno di un medico.
I need a doctor.
Say this in an emergency or when feeling unwell at a hotel, on a tour, or in a public place. Hotel staff can call a doctor who makes house visits (medico a domicilio).
Ho perso il treno.
I missed the train.
Say this at the ticket window when your train has left without you. Italian rail staff can usually rebook you on the next available service, though fees may apply.
La mia valigia non è arrivata.
My suitcase has not arrived.
Say this at the airline's baggage claim desk when all luggage has been collected by other passengers but yours is missing. Go immediately to the baggage office (ufficio bagagli).
Il mio volo è stato cancellato.
My flight has been cancelled.
Say this at the airline desk or call centre when you discover your flight has been cancelled. You are entitled to compensation or rebooking under EU rules.
La mia stanza non è ancora pronta?
Is my room not ready yet?
Ask at the hotel reception when check-in time has passed but your room is still being prepared. Standard Italian hotel check-in is typically 2–3pm.
Il condizionatore non funziona.
The air conditioning is not working.
Say this at the hotel reception when your room's air conditioning, a critical comfort in Italian summers, is broken. This is a legitimate complaint entitled to a solution.
C'è troppo rumore nella camera.
There is too much noise in the room.
Complain to reception when noise from the street, neighbouring rooms, or the hotel itself is preventing sleep. Italian cities have active nightlife and street noise can be significant.
Sono allergico a questo.
I am allergic to this.
Say this urgently at a restaurant if you see or suspect an allergen in your food. Always alert staff before ordering if you have serious food allergies.
Ho preso una multa.
I received a fine.
Say this to your travel companion or hotel staff when you have been issued a traffic fine or other penalty. You may need help understanding the document and how to pay.
Ho lasciato le chiavi nella stanza.
I left my keys in the room.
Say this to hotel reception when you are locked out of your room. A replacement key or a staff member to open the door can be requested.
Non mi sentivo bene tutta la notte.
I did not feel well all night.
Say this to hotel staff in the morning when you have been ill during the night and need medical assistance or want to explain why you could not check out on time.
Il Bancomat non funziona.
The ATM is not working.
Say this to a nearby shopkeeper or bank employee when you need to find a working cash machine. ATM failures are common in tourist areas where machines are overloaded.
Ho perso il pullman.
I missed the coach.
Say this at the coach station (stazione degli autobus or autostazione) when your coach has departed without you. Or use it to explain why you need an alternative to a tour organiser.
La mia prenotazione non si trova nel sistema.
My reservation cannot be found in the system.
Say this at a hotel, car rental, or tour office when you have a booking confirmation but the staff cannot find your reservation in their system. Always carry your booking reference.
Ho bisogno di assistenza urgente.
I need urgent assistance.
Say this when you need immediate help — at a hotel, in a public place, or on public transport. The word 'urgente' conveys that the situation cannot wait.
Ho perso il portafoglio.
I have lost my wallet.
Say this immediately when you discover your wallet is missing. Cancel your cards first (call your bank), then go to the police station to file a report.
Il mio telefono si è rotto.
My phone has broken.
Say this to explain why you need to borrow a charger, use a phone, or find a repair shop. Without a smartphone, navigation, translation, and communication become significantly harder.
Ho bisogno di un interprete.
I need an interpreter.
Say this at a police station, hospital, or legal office when you are dealing with a serious matter and the other party does not speak your language. You have a legal right to an interpreter in formal proceedings.
L'hotel non corrisponde alla descrizione online.
The hotel does not match the online description.
Say this to the hotel manager or booking platform customer service when the property is significantly different from what was advertised — missing facilities, different location, or lower standard.
Ho un problema con l'affitto della casa vacanze.
I have a problem with the holiday rental.
Say this when a holiday apartment has problems — broken appliances, wrong location, missing items, or the host does not respond. Contact the platform (Airbnb, VRBO) immediately.
Non mi sento sicuro qui.
I do not feel safe here.
Say this to a hotel receptionist, tour guide, or police officer when you feel threatened or uncomfortable in a place. Trust your instincts — Italian police (Carabinieri, Polizia) are generally responsive to tourists in distress.
Ho bisogno di un avvocato.
I need a lawyer.
Say this if you are arrested, involved in an accident where you may be liable, or embroiled in a legal dispute in Italy. You have the right to legal representation and to contact your country's consulate.
L'autobus non arriva — cosa faccio?
The bus is not coming — what do I do?
Say this to a fellow passenger or ask a local when the bus you are waiting for has not arrived and you need to decide on an alternative plan.
Sto avendo una reazione allergica!
I am having an allergic reaction!
Say this urgently to anyone nearby or to medical staff when you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction. This is a medical emergency — call 118.
Ho preso la destinazione sbagliata.
I took the wrong destination.
Say this on transport when you realise you have boarded the wrong vehicle heading to an unintended destination. The sooner you realise, the easier the correction.
Il noleggio auto non ha la mia prenotazione.
The car rental does not have my reservation.
Say this at the car rental desk when they cannot find your booking. Always carry a printed or digital copy of your booking confirmation with the reference number.
C'è stato un incidente.
There has been an accident.
Say this to authorities or emergency services when you witness or are involved in a road accident. In Italy, you must stop and exchange details — fleeing the scene is a criminal offence.
Ho dimenticato il PIN.
I have forgotten my PIN.
Say this at a shop or ATM when you cannot recall your PIN and need to abort a payment. You may need to contact your bank to unblock or reset the PIN.
Il mio volo è in ritardo.
My flight is delayed.
Say this to explain why you are late to a hotel, tour, or meeting. Or say it when you need to ask about your rights at the airport during a flight delay.
Non trovo il mio albergo.
I cannot find my hotel.
Say this when you are lost in an Italian city and cannot locate your accommodation. Show the hotel name on paper or your phone to a local for help.
Ho perso il mio gruppo.
I have been separated from my group.
Say this to a tourist officer, local, or tour guide when you have become separated from your tour group or travel companions in a busy site like a museum or market.
Ho bisogno di una sedia a rotelle.
I need a wheelchair.
Ask at an airport, museum, or tourist site when someone in your group is unable to walk and needs wheelchair assistance. Most Italian attractions offer this service on request.
Ho dimenticato il caricatore in albergo.
I left my charger at the hotel.
Say this when you have already checked out and left your charger behind. Contact the hotel immediately — the housekeeping staff often find and hold chargers for several days.
La mia carta è stata rifiutata.
My card has been declined.
Say this at a restaurant or shop after a payment is rejected. Common causes: daily spending limit exceeded, the bank blocked the transaction as suspicious (foreign transaction), or insufficient funds.
Ho urgente bisogno di trovare un bagno.
I urgently need to find a toilet.
Say this when you desperately need a toilet while out in an Italian city. The fastest options are nearby bars (order a coffee), McDonald's, or asking someone to direct you to a public facility.
Il maltempo ha rovinato i miei piani.
The bad weather has ruined my plans.
Say this when weather conditions have forced you to cancel or change your travel plans — useful when talking to a tour operator, hotel, or insurance about a force majeure situation.
Non parlano inglese qui — come mi faccio capire?
They don't speak English here — how do I make myself understood?
Say this when you are in a small Italian town or rural area where English is not spoken and you need strategies to communicate. This is especially common in southern Italy and inland regions.
Sono rimasto senza soldi.
I have run out of money.
Say this to a trusted contact when you need emergency money transferred, or to a hotel or tour operator to explain why you cannot pay immediately.